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Walt Disney, co-founder of the Walt Disney Company, said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”. The PNM’s manifesto 2025–2030 “A Bold New Chapter” made headlines in all the newspapers on April 19, 2025–one week before elections—that dream soon dissipated! That chapter is now history and Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar revealed the new chapter of relevance as she unveiled Government’s billion-dollar dream to a packed audience on Thursday at the Diplomatic Centre. The PM rolled out the blueprint for 129 projects over the next decade under the theme “Trinidad and Tobago Revitalisation Blueprint”. Before the ink had dried, however, Brian Manning, who was the only red dot in the UNC sea of yellow in South Central Trinidad in the recent elections, slammed the blueprint. He claimed that “the UNC is out of fresh ideas and the revitalisation blueprint is Patrick Manning’s Vision 2020 by another name”. Logic would suggest that if Manning’s Vision 2020 was achieved, then there may not be any need for the 129 projects that the Government has launched. In November 2020, then-prime minister Dr Keith Rowley said “Port of Spain can be revitalised with private sector money”. His dreams: tram cars, high-rise apartments, a vast waterfront park that could vitalise the capital city and offer residents a new quality of life. He lamented that Port of Spain has had decades of “considerable urban decay” namely reduced private investment, depopulation, abandonment, decrepit infrastructure, unemployment, destitution and crime. Rowley said, “All over the world, and throughout history, cities have arisen, been nurtured, have grown and sometimes they stagnate and die.” This “dream” apparently went up in smoke and died with little being achieved. Thankfully, our Prime Minister has declared “T&T open for business” with the 12 nodes Blueprint covering the entire country with 129 projects. Among the projects is the conversion of the Carrera island into a resort, a total makeover of Port of Spain (again), expansion of the port and a free zone area in Sea Lots. There are also a host of mega-projects to develop San Fernando, Mayaro and other areas through initiatives that include business centres, hotel, hospitals, financial hubs and housing projects. The difference this time is that business leaders are on board with Government’s revitalisation plan. ANSA McAl’s executive chairman, A Norman Sabga, said, “We need to dream big! Manage the details and move the country forward. It’s huge, it’s exciting, where they want to take this country requires dreaming big.” DOMA president Gregory Aboud said the presentation reflected genuine enthusiasm from both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Works and Infrastructure Jearlean John, describing that the energy exuded was “the kind that drives progress.” Ms John said that groundwork for mega-projects has already begun and “this is not just pie in the sky!”. The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) also came out in support, calling the initiative “refreshing and much-needed national vision”. The Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce said the blueprint marks a shift “from talk to tangible action”. The San Fernando Greater Chamber of Commerce (SFGGC) said the southern business community was “excited” about re-development plans for the San Fernando waterfront, marina and amphitheatre, adding that “the inclusion of hotels and a Healthy City reflects a forward-thinking vision”. The Prime Minister said that funding for these mega projects would come from private partnerships and foreign investments. “In coming years, cranes will pierce the skyline of Port of Spain, dredgers will carve new horizons along San Fernando’s coast, bulldozers will ready the earth in Tamana and Golden Grove and scaffolding will rise like steel vines across our cities and towns”. The PM recalled that, during her recent visit to the United States, she held productive discussions with the Crown Prince of Kuwait and representatives from Saudi Arabia, making it clear that T&T is open for business. This is the message I want to echo globally, she stressed, while citing countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore who transformed their economies away from the dependence on the energy sector. “Diversification has long been an elusive dream—too often just a talking point without action. The projects we envision will not be white elephants or illusions of grandeur. They will be grounded in purpose, built to produce real results,” she emphasised. Ladies and gentlemen, this is no “Mickey Mouse” project; but just like Walt Disney (1901-1966) who was a pioneer and whose company has grown into one of the largest entertainment conglomerates, transforming the family entertainment industry, we, too, must dream and make Trinidad and Tobago great. Terrence Kalloo
